点评:Vardzia is without a doubt one of the most significant sites of Georgia's State Heritage. Dating back to the 12th century, the Golden Age of King (Queen) Tamar and Shota Rustaveli, it is a most impressive site.
It comprises of more than 500 caves carved out of side of Erusheti Mountain and you will identify churches, meeting rooms, reception, a pharmacy, refectory with bakery, tunnels and lots of cells for the monks.
The highlight is the Belltower and the Church of the Dormition : these are the only caves decorated with lavish mural paintings. Pay particular attention to the portraits of Giorgi and Tamar, dressed in Byzantine ceremonial clothes and holding a model of the church. The interior is badly blackened by decennia of candle smoke.
I understand the necessity of this, but Vardzia is not enhanced by the ugly metal stairs and railings everywhere. Also, one has to be reasonably fit to explore the site : the stairs are challenging, especially the tunnel back down is a bit tricky.
翻译:瓦尔齐亚无疑是格鲁吉亚最重要的国家遗产之一。它始建于12世纪,正值塔玛尔国王(王后)和肖塔·鲁斯塔维利统治的黄金时代,令人叹为观止。
瓦尔齐亚由500多个开凿于埃鲁舍季山腰的洞穴组成,其中分布着教堂、会议室、接待处、药房、带面包房的餐厅、隧道以及众多僧侣的僧舍。
最引人注目的是钟楼和圣母安息教堂:这两座洞穴是唯一装饰着精美壁画的。请特别留意乔治和塔玛尔的画像,他们身着拜占庭礼仪服饰,手捧教堂模型。由于数十年来烛烟的熏黑,教堂内部显得十分昏暗。
我理解这种熏黑的必要性,但瓦尔齐亚随处可见的丑陋金属楼梯和栏杆却破坏了它的整体美感。此外,游览该景点需要一定的体能:楼梯很有挑战性,尤其是返回地下的隧道有点棘手。